Coconut Beauty: Recipes, Elixers, Serums, & Diet Tips

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Hopefully we’ve all taken time to pause our lives and “stop to smell the roses”, as they say. That gorgeous, romantic aroma has been sought after and utilized for thousands of years to soothe our senses and our skin. However, the oil produced from the seeds of the Rosehip fruit is actually even more effective as a healing panacea. If you’re familiar with skin care ingredients, you’ll recognize this powerhouse from the ingredients list of many prestige products. But Rosehip Seed Oil is just as fantastic at keeping hair luscious and thick as it is at keeping skin smooth and clear!

Rosehip Oil Uses for a Happy Scalp

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, yet somehow it’s so often overlooked when it comes to mainstream haircare. How many of us are plagued by itchy scalps that are both dry and greasy? Well just as Rosehip Oil is a super star at balancing your combination face, it can moisturize the flakes and curb excess sebum production on your scalp too! It is rich in omega-6 fatty acid, also known as Linoleic Acid, which deeply moisturizes without feeling oily or greasy. It also communicates to you oil-producing pores that the job is done, limiting the excess buildup that can clog hair follicles and suffocate the scalp.

This great video quickly goes over the what’s what of rosehip oil.

Rosehip Oil for Hair Growth

On that note, one of the biggest causes to reduced hair growth and body is that pesky buildup problem. When we wash our hair frequently, with harsh detergents contained in most commercial shampoos, we remove all of the natural oils, which causes our bodies to produce more to compensate. In addition, we pile on products, some of which never seem to fully wash out. All of this begins to get into your hair follicles, blocking the hair trying to grow. A sweet scalp massage using Rosehip Seed Oil before you shower can do wonders to breaking up the gunk, dissolving the excess oil and making it easier to wash out of your hair. It also pre-moisturizes your scalp, preventing too much drying damage from the shampoo. To go the extra step, consider switching to a gentler sulfate-free shampoo as well.

Rosehip Oil and Anti-Oxidants

One of the reasons this miracle oil is such a powerhouse is how packed with anti-oxidants it is. There’s so much about the modern world that is trying to age us. Everything from sunlight, pollution, second-hand smoke, even a lot of household cleaners and processed foods, they all contain free-radicals which interact with our bodies, breaking down bits of our cells in a process called oxidation. With skin, that looks like fine lines, age spots, hyper-pigmentation, and weakened collagen production, all of which is significantly reduced with Rosehip Seed Oil. For hair, the oxidation damages the hair shaft, which affects the thickness and strength, the rate of growth, and the pigmentation. Anti-oxidants act as little scavengers, catching the free-radicals before they bond with our cells, preventing the damage being done in the first place. This means ingredients rich in antioxidants, like Rosehip Oil, can prevent hair loss, hair thinning, and hair greying. What sorcery!

Rosehip Oil and Vitamins

In addition to antioxidants, Rosehip Seed Oil is also chock full of vitamins our bodies need. We should all be taking our multivitamins, but sometimes that just won’t cut it when we need targeted results. Lets look at some of the vitamins contained in these nifty little seeds:

Also know as the natural source of retinoids, Vitamin A is an incredible skin smoother. It aids in collagen production and sebum control, meaning it works against both wrinkles and acne (hello late 20’s!). It is also a powerful antioxidant in its own right, aiding in keeping the hair long and sleek.

Rosehips contain nearly 100 times the amount of vitamin C as oranges. Yes that’s right, ONE HUNDRED times the vitamin C. This vitamin also has antioxidant and anti-pigmentation properties, keeping hair color fresh and vibrant and hair shafts strong and smooth.

This vitamin is essential to moisturization, firmness, oxidation prevention, and color longevity of hair, all at the same time. Vitamin E also has a synergistic effect with vitamin C, creating a combo that is more powerful than the sum of its individual traits. It also keeps the oil fresh, giving it a longer shelf life than other similar oils.

Recipes and Tips for Using Rosehip Oil

The simplest way to utilize all of the wonderful benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil for hair is a scalp massage. Apply a few drops to your fingers and massage into your scalp, using your fingertips to gently work the oil in. Repeat this until you’ve covered your head, and leave on for at least 30 minutes. When you’re ready, wash hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and condition as usual.

Scalp Serum for Fine/Thinning hair:

1tsp Rosehip Seed Oil

1.5 tsp Jojoba Oil

3-4 drops Lavender Essential Oil

3-4 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

4-5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Optional:

1 tsp Olive Oil (for extra dry scalp or weak hair)

1 tsp Castor Oil (for extra oily hair and to promote growth)

Mix all oils in a small bowl.

Apply the blend to your scalp, massaging it in as you go. When you’ve thoroughly covered your scalp, comb the remaining oil through your hair with you fingers, being sure to get a bit extra on the ends. Leave this mixture on at least 30 minutes, though with the addition of a shower cap, this makes a great overnight mask. When you’re done, wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and condition as usual. You’ll come out with soft, shiny tresses you won’t be able to keep to yourself!

For extra points, watch these two videos to learn more about rosehip oil!